Pope John Paul II: Young Man of the Church (Childhood of World Figures)

By George E. Stanley

Book Overview

Pope John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Poland. As a child Karol excelled in school -- especially in religion and literature. He was a star soccer player and also hiked and kayaked. But most of all Karol loved poetry and theater. Although Karol was liked and respected by his peers, his childhood was touched by tragedy. His mother passed away when he was only nine years old, and three years later his beloved older brother, Edmund, died from scarlet fever. Karol grew up in a time of great uncertainty for Poland. Although he was born into an independent Poland, he was a young man during the Nazi occupation of his homeland in World War II. When many Poles were anti-semitic, Karol had Jewish friends; when his country turned its back on religion, Karol studied in secret to become a priest. This fascinating biography details Karol's childhood and the events that led him to be named Pope John Paul II in 1978.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416912827
• ISBN13: 9781416912828
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 9.0" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

This Pope is Cool

At first I thought popes were kind of boring, but when I read this book I thought they were cool! If you like biography, fun, and learning about chilhood of world figures ,this is the perfect book for you. Pope John Paul II went through a lot of sorrow in his life; when he was 9 his mom died,when he was 12 his brother died and when he was 15 his friends went away because of the Nazis. What I learned is that no matter what happens, life goes on and things will get better. I can't wait for you to read Pope John Paul II, Young Man of the Church!!!